“There was a little bit of shock value when we saw the bill,” said Vern Johnson of the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department. “We’ve always said there should be no animals in restaurants. We don’t want them in there for food safety issues.”

There are concerns about handling the waste by both the dog owners and staff at restaurants, unruly and vicious dogs, and whether liability for problems caused by the dogs lies with the pet or restaurant owner.

Under the bill as introduced, the restaurant owners would have the right to decide whether to allow or refuse dogs in their establishments.

Others at the House Tourism Committee meeting were more enthusiastic about the bill.

“Why are we taking up this issue? Because Michigan loves its pooches,” said state Rep. Margaret O’Brien, R-Portage, who sponsored the bill.